Pediatric Dentistry in Tampa, Florida

As a parent, we understand that your child’s health is your top concern. At All Children’s Dentistry, our goal is to partner with parents to provide their children outstanding dental care that will ensure them a lifetime of healthy smiles! We believe that healthy smiles begin in infancy and that proper dental care is as important as their diet, immunizations, and other doctor’s appointments.

All Children's Dentistry

Healthy Smiles Begin in Infancy

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children first see the dentist at one year old or when the first tooth emerges. It’s important to see a dentist early in a child’s life because it allows the doctor to examine his/her mouth and discuss specific oral hygiene instructions for the child. Parents should begin brushing and flossing their children’s teeth when the first tooth emerges. When the child is old enough, parents should teach their children how to brush and floss properly. Setting a high standard of oral hygiene early in life will help children develop healthy oral hygiene habits for life! Just like an adult, children should see the dentist a minimum of twice a year. The mouth is constantly changing and growing in childhood and along with this growth can come injuries and issues that, when addressed early, can be easily treated. Learn More

How to Protect Your Child’s Teeth and Gums

Dental damage at a young age can raise the risk of serious oral health concerns later in life. That is why our pediatric dentists not only provide complete care for children, but will also guide you in the best ways to care for your little one’s teeth. Pediatric dentistry focuses on preventive care and emphasis is placed on home care (brushing, flossing, nutrition), regular check-ups, and cleanings to prevent common dental issues kids may have such as bruxism, thumb sucking, and baby bottle tooth decay. As your child grows older, additional steps can be taken (sealants, mouth guards) to protect their teeth from injury during sports and other activities. Learn More

The Importance of Pediatric Dental Health

Unfortunately, many people underestimate the importance of healthy baby teeth. Because these teeth are temporary, many adults believe that a missing or damaged tooth will not have any long-term effects. In reality, dental damage in childhood can affect lifelong oral health. Missing teeth can cause your child’s adult teeth to come in late. Permanent teeth may also be misaligned as a result of the gaps in your child’s grin. Cavities are also a serious concern for children since dental decay is a cyclical problem. Patients with cavities in childhood are far more likely to suffer chronic decay as adults. Learn More

Dental Care for Infants

Teething can begin as early as four months of age. The habit of proper oral care should begin before your child’s teeth come in because you might not notice when they first start to emerge from the gums. It’s a good idea to begin wiping your baby’s gums with a soft cloth every day, especially after eating, starting at four months. As soon as your baby’s first tooth emerges, you should begin to brush the teeth using water and a brush with soft bristles. Typically, you should not use fluoride toothpaste until your child is able to rinse and spit. Initial toothpaste should be safe to swallow or fluoride free. You should also start to gently floss as soon as your baby has two or more touching teeth.

To reduce the risk of decay, you should start to wean your baby off of a bottle around age one. In the meantime, you should never put your baby to sleep with milk or juice. If your baby falls asleep sucking on the bottle, sugars will be in constant contact with teeth throughout the night. Sucking on both pacifiers and bottles can also affect dental misalignment. As with bottles, you should try to break your child of these habits around age one. Learn More

Dental Care for Toddlers and Young Children

As your child grows, you are modeling and instilling healthy habits when it comes to nutritional food choices, and regular teeth brushing and flossing. You will need to brush her or his teeth for a few years. At age 3 most children can begin to do it for themselves with you also brushing and flossing their teeth afterwards to make sure the teeth are clean. By the time your child is five years old, you still will be supervising home care but your child will be much more effective at independently cleaning her or his teeth. Supervise home dental care until you are confident that your child can brush properly. It is important to brush twice a day, particularly before bedtime. If possible, have your child brush multiple times a day after meals and snacks.

Flossing is also important for kids. At your routine preventative visits, our doctors and certified assistants will teach you and your child the best flossing techniques. Again, you should supervise this activity until your child can floss independently and has developed the habit of doing so routinely. Learn More

Dental Care for Teens

As your child grows, she or he will face an increased risk for sports-related dental injuries. Broken, cracked, or knocked-out teeth are common concerns. Mouth guards are one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent this damage. You can purchase pre-made appliances at most sporting goods stores, but these devices are unlikely to provide the complete protection your child needs. Our doctors can supply a custom-made guard that will fit securely and comfortably.

With a combination of good nutrition (low sugar), well-supervised home care and routine checkups, you can help ensure that your child’s teeth and gums are healthy. It is possible for children to remain cavity free and many do. Learn More

Because Healthy Smiles Begin In Infancy...

With a combination of home care and routine checkups, you can help ensure that your child’s teeth and gums will remain healthy and last a lifetime. To find out more about preventive dentistry or to schedule an appointment, contact our Tampa, FL practice today...